Benedictine
Benedictine
On Tuesday February 16, 2010, the House of Delegates paused to honor the Cadets of Benedictine High School.
At noon, the House was called to order for the daily legislative Session, and the invocation was delivered by the Very Reverend Gregory Gresko, OSB, Prior Administrator of the Benedictine Abbey in Goochland, and Headmaster of the Benedictine High School.
During the “morning hour,” I rose for a brief “point of personal privilege,” to remind my colleagues from throughout Virginia, of the many contributions made by the “Men of Old B.C.,” over the past 100 years. Since it’s founding at Richmond in 1911, Benedictine High School has produced generations of leaders for our Commonwealth and our Nation, in times of war and peace, and in every sector of our society.
If you live in Richmond, you probably know a Benedictine Man. Whether in the arena of politics, public service, athletics or business, Benedictine graduates continue to lead the way.
Among the leaders in public life and politics, Benedictine can claim such leaders as Former Congressman Thomas J. Bliley, Jr., Congressman Robert Wittman (R-VA1), former Delegate Joe Benedetti, and our own gentleman from Prince William, my colleague Delegate Scott Lingamfelter.
Henrico County Sheriff Mike Wade, and Chief of Police Henry Stanley are among the many Benedictine graduates who keep us safe each day.
The Richmond business community leaders in every industry who bring the values and skills they learned at BHS to build successful businesses and brings jobs and prosperity include Freddie and Johnny Siewers, Frank Eck, Thomas Hancock, Leon Stepanian, Huddy Hyman and Del and Drew Mugford, just to name a few.
Benedictine has always excelled on “the fields of friendly strife,” producing sports legends such as Bobby Ross, Granville “Granny” Hamner , John Kuester, Bambale Osby, Ed Davis and “Chick” Chakales to name just a few.
And in every war since 1911, the graduates of this tiny school have served in every place and clime, and include heroes who have won 12 Distinguished Flying Cross medals, 3 silver stars, 45 recipients of the Purple Heart, and 4 Prisoners of War. Of the 31 graduates who have earned the Bronze Star, one, Delegate Scott Lingamfelter, earned his during Operation Desert Storm. Most significantly, 30 Benedictine Men have given the last full measure of devotion, and died in battle as result of hostile enemy action, in defense of our liberty and security.
Benedictine will celebrate her 100th Anniversary in 2011, and I was proud to introduce the Cadets, faculty and staff of this Richmond institution to the members of the Virginia House of Delegates on Tuesday.
To see video – (as posted on my Facebook page) Click link below -
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=272873998122#!/video/video.php?v=1307964852115&oid=272873998122
